If you have to go to Austin for a conference and won’t have much free time, you might as well go during a record-breaking heatwave, right? That’s what I did for a hot time in Texas last week. I do believe a record was set when it reached 103F on Monday.
The Texas Capitol, in Austin
A Hot Time In Texas
This was my first business trip since the pandemic started, and my first time to Austin. I arrived early afternoon with a few hours of free time until the conference’s opening reception. A friend suggested visiting the Texas Capitol, so I grabbed a water bottle and headed out. It was so hot (101F), I stuck close to the buildings to grab whatever bit of shade I could!
There are several statutes along the sidewalk up to the building–including a few honoring Confederate soldiers. It was the same in Richmond until very recently, so I can’t be too smug.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn the building was open–and not just for the air conditioning! The interior was beautiful, especially under the dome.
We could even go into the Senate chambers. I refrained from taking a picture, but one of the desks was piled high with maps ahead of the gerrymandering redistricting debate scheduled for Monday.
Where women’s rights go to die …
I found my way over to the gift shop in a separate building, and they had a cool Lego build of the Texas Capitol.
That was about all I got to see of the city. This conference usually has a big reception and dinner at a local attraction (often a local museum), but because of covid the main social event was at the hotel’s rooftop bar–at least they served tacos!
Weekly Run Down
It was a weird week, with the first half in Austin with a lot of free time in the morning, and the second half back home but having to leave the house by 7:00 am for my second conference of the week, held in D.C. The best news is that my Achilles held up to a few 4+ mile runs, and didn’t get too angry afterwards. 😀
I checked out the hotel gym when I arrived Sunday, and was put off by a woman huffing and puffing on a bike–I am not ready for that yet! Luckily it was pretty empty at 5:00 am, and the only occupied treadmill was pretty far from the strength area. Still, I decided to brave the hot temperatures outside (80s at dark o’clock!) for my runs.
Monday: 30 min Core/Full Body Strength + 4.75 mile run
I braved the hotel gym while waiting for it to get light. A colleague coming in from his run told me the full moon made it light enough to see on the path along the river and that there were a lot of runners out, so I headed out while it was still dark. And it was dark. After 1/2 mile wishing I had a headlamp, I realized I could use the flashlight on my iPhone. Duh!
It was legitimately dark. I’m amazed I didn’t trip, and also amazed at how many other runners were out there without lights!
Tuesday: 45 min Core/Full Body Strength + 4.75 mile run
I waited for daylight to head out this time, so I could see how nice the path was! There were even more people out–I guess dawn is the only time to beat the heat, although it was already in the 80s at 7 am.
2 miles in and dripping already!
Wednesday: 30 min Core/Lower Body Strength + 3.2 Scooby Miles
Back home, I was eager to run with Scooby. I knew I was pushing my luck running three days in a row, but I really wanted to shake-off the stiffness from my return flight.
Thursday: 35 min Peloton Ride + Core
My morning schedule was tight, but I squeezed in a HIIT + Hills ride and did my core workout afterwards to start cooling down before I hopped in the shower. The ride was so tough I squeezed in a cool-down ride too–after deciding I could be a bit late for the conference breakfast. 😉 .
Love the HIIT + Hills cadence graph!
Friday: Core + 4.1 Scooby Miles
Friday I had a 7:30 am meeting at the conference, so I couldn’t be late, but the weather wa so amazing I stretched my 3 mile route to 4.
Saturday: Conte’s Hill Ride (~22 miles) + 30 min Peloton Rides
It was 50F when we started our ride, but felt amazing once I warmed up. I wouldn’t usually tack on Peloton rides, but we had taken the Conte’s route at an easy pace and there was a Pelton badge for doing two ride class this weekend ….
Sunday: Core + Strength for Runners + 3.3 Scooby Miles
It’s that time of year when running in daylight is a weekend luxury, so I squeezed in a short run before church–which I’m still attending via Zoom.
And a 21 mile ride to test out my new tires!
Can you see those nice treads!
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up.
Is it still hot where you are or did the autumn equinox bring cooler weather?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
Well, i obviously have to go back to Austin! I didn’t realize you could go inside the Capital building (duh.) My son would have loved that Lego, and I also didn’t get to run by the river. I’m glad you braved the dark and the heat to do that- much more memorable than the hotel treadmill! And I think you missed the cool front by one day- my son (who’s in Waco) said it got cold on Wednesday.
So glad your achilles is feeling better! You had some great running this week.
Yes, we did just miss the cool front, although I think “cool front” has a different meaning there — or maybe not too different from Florida. 😉
Your caption on the senate floor photo made me LOL even though it is not really funny. It’s actually awful what is happening in Texas. Austin is like a breath of fresh air, isn’t it?
Glad to see you getting some running miles again! You give me hope…
I didn’t really see enough of Austin to get a feel for it. These conference business trips don’t leave much free time during normal hours.
Ugh that heat wave sounds miserable, but it sounds like you made the best of it! I’ll admit that Texas is definitely not on my “visit” list for numerous reasons but I really would love to visit Austin eventually.
So awesome to see that you were able to get in so many runs this week!
I have only been to Texas twice, both quick trips for a conference.
I was really happy with my Achilles!
The Lego capitol is pretty neat.
Your caption on the senate floor picture…ugh.
I’m glad your conferences went well and seemed relatively safe! And happy the Achilles is doing okay.
Yes, both conferences had precautions in place. In Texas there was no mask mandate if you were vaccinated, but they set up the seating spaced apart (4 chairs at a 6 person table). In D.C. seating was closer, but there was a mask mandate for all. I think they pulled it off!
Look at you, Coco, running four times a week (including 3 days in a row) as if your Achilles problems never existed!!! Such good news!
I’m so happy that this is working out so well.
I would have been one of those runners without a headlamp. I insist that my “eyes will get used to the darkness” – even though I stumble along like a blind bat. 🙂
I am trying to make myself dial it back this week so I don’t push my luck too far, but our weather is AMAZING right now!
The moonlight was bright, but not helpful in the sections under the trees ….
Looks like you got in lots of good runs while traveling! I have the worst night vision and wouldn’t be able to run in the dark without a light. Glad your achilles has been holding up well!
It was dark for sure, and really not my smartest decision. 😉
I hear Austin is such a fun place to visit! On my list for sure. Perhaps not when it is so hot and also insane lol.glad you survived your trip ok! Gorgeous weekend for biking here!
Great weather to be outside doing anything — or nothing!
Memories . . . we always took visitors to the Capitol. Well, that was one of the places we took them! And I spent many happy miles walking around Town Lake (as it was called when I lived there). It stays dark longer down south!
Glad you survived your first work trip & conference (not to mention plane ride).
Shouldn’t it be more light down south? Or does it get light later and stays light later? I was so confused!
I can’t tell you why, but I can tell you that it gets light later and yes, it also stays light later. I miss that! Not dark at 4:30 pm in Winter!
One of the things I actually love about winter running is the brightness from the moon (full or not) and all the stars reflecting off the snow. (I can’t believe I just typed that LOL) Although you didn’t have any snow, isn’t it amazing how much light comes from the moon itself?! Sounds like you had a great week…glad the achilles is behaving 😉
The moon was bright, but the trail had trees that got in the way!
Lots of running for you! Glad your Achilles is cooperating.
Your caption on the senate floor shot – sad but true 🙁 I have heard such great things about Austin. Too bad it was so hot!
The Capitol was very Texas. Not just the confederate statutes, but also large paintings of the battle at the Alamo hanging in the back of the chambers (violent depictions).
There weren’t many local out in the heat on Sunday, that’s for sure!
Texas politics, UGH. But that’s an awesome dome shot and LEGO model.
80s at dawn is.. Ooph. I don’t know how southern runners do it.
So glad to hear about your Achilles.
I feel like it’s darker earlier this fall even on walks
Honestly, it didn’t feel too bad — maybe the humidity was low? Plus, any breeze feels awesome!
I’m coaching a few athletes from Texas and I’ve heard about the heat for months on end. So tough to run there! I’ve not been to Austin. Just Dallas and Houston I think. Glad to hear your achilles is cooperating!
The heat is no joke! They said it was hotter in September than earlier in the summer. The hotel A/C was frigid though!
Too bad about the heat wave. You were creative in staying active.
I’ve never been to Austin but San Antonio for a conference.
Glad to hear you survived your trip plane ride and that the Achilles is behaving better.
Nice wheels!
I’m so glad you had a successful conference. I’m not quite ready to fly yet, but it helps to see all the cool places so I start getting over my anxiety.